Manila, Philippines – 1Life, Inc., a Filipino healthcare tech company committed to social impact, has served one million patients over two years through its field hospital services and nationwide deployment of its tech-enabled primary care model. The milestone underscores 1Life’s mission to improve health outcomes and protect Filipinos from preventable illnesses through early detection and timely intervention.By bringing healthcare directly to local communities, the company delivered fast, connected healthcare across more than 1,261 municipalities and 80 provinces, demonstrating that advanced diagnostics and AI-supported care can operate reliably at scale, even in remote and low-resource settings.
1Life’s integrated healthcare system brings diagnostics, consultations, and medicines together in a single community visit. By combining portable devices, cloud-based patient records, and AI-assisted workflows, the company has shortened what is usually a four-day primary care journey to about one hour. This shift has been especially impactful in rural and geographically isolated areas where access to diagnostic services has traditionally been limited.
Much of the one-million-patient count comes from community medical runs where residents receive essential diagnostics such as CBC, X-ray, ultrasound, ECG, urinalysis, and blood chemistry, followed by physician consultations and appropriate medicines. Patients also come from 1Life Primary Care Facilities, partner clinics using the 1Life Digital Community Healthcare System, and school and workplace health programs supported by local government units and national partners. In 2024 alone, the company served more than half a million Filipinos, with daily deployments of multiple medical teams that used AI tools to manage higher patient volumes without compromising quality. At the core of these operations is the 1Life Digital Community Healthcare System, which links field missions, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and laboratories through a unified digital platform. This ecosystem is strengthened by DocMate AI, trained on hundreds of thousands of Filipino patient records, and the newly launched 1Life Health App, which gives users personal access to medical records, medicine reminders, and accurate health education. These tools generate real-time insights for partners and enable communities to shift from reactive, hospital-centric care to proactive early detection, a central goal of the country’s healthcare reforms.
The milestone also aligns with the Philippines’ goal of strengthening universal health coverage. As an accredited partner of DOH, PhilHealth, LGUs, and the DepEd YAKAP program, 1Life supports efforts to decongest hospitals by bringing early detection and primary care to the community level. Local leaders in remote and conflict-affected areas have reported greater participation in health programs and improved trust among residents who, for the first time, experienced fast and respectful care.
Nino Namoco, President of 1Life, Inc., highlighted the company’s mission to provide access to quality healthcare, leveraging innovative technology to prevent complications and streamline health processes for Filipinos, reflecting 1Life’s broader social impact:
“Reaching one million patients is a reminder that accessible healthcare can change lives when delivered with consistency, compassion, and the right technology. Every person we serve represents a family and a story, and we carry that responsibility with humility.”
He added, “Our goal remains simple. 1Life is dedicated to making quality primary healthcare accessible to all, particularly the underserved communities. Central to our program is the early detection and prevention of diseases, which has enabled us to reach a million patients and further the pursuit of universal health equity. We are grateful to our partners and our team on the ground for making this possible. This milestone is only the beginning.”
1Life’s track record strengthens its position in the Philippine healthtech sector. The success of DocMate AI, the 1Life Health App, and the nationwide field deployments demonstrates that technology-supported primary care can operate reliably in diverse conditions across the country. This establishes 1Life as a trusted partner for groups seeking measurable and scalable healthcare solutions.
To learn more about 1Life, Inc., visit 1life.ph and facebook.com/1life.ph, or download the 1Life Health App on Google Play or the App Store.
Angeles City, Pampanga – Best Western Plus Metro Clark, the leading hospitality provider in Central Luzon, proudly announces that it is the first hotel in Asia to achieve official certification by Ookla® as Speedtest Certified™ for its exceptional wireless network performance. This prestigious, national recognition validates the hotel’s commitment to delivering a superior digital guest experience, seamlessly powered by the high-speed fiber and technology solutions of Converge.Ookla®, a global leader in connectivity intelligence and a division of Ziff Davis, independently verified that the wireless network of Best Western Plus Metro Clark met the rigorous performance standards of their Speedtest Certified program. This certification validates that every guest has access to fast and reliable connectivity throughout the property, ensuring an uninterrupted digital journey during their stay.
Speedtest Certified is a definitive property network verification program that leverages Ookla's trusted testing methodology and unrivaled brand recognition to assure guests of a property’s exceptional internet quality—a crucial component of the modern travel experience. The hotel's performance was measured against official Speedtest Certified criteria, resulting in a score of 72.5 out of 100 and successfully surpassing the required minimum threshold of 70 for certification.
The certification confirms that Best Western Plus Metro Clark delivers a robust and reliable connectivity experience across all critical performance areas. This is achieved through strong primary signal coverage, high median upload and download speeds suitable for high-demand tasks like video conferencing and streaming, and minimal latency essential for real-time applications. Furthermore, the network is built on a resilient infrastructure, featuring industry best practices for security and configuration, and is supported by a high-capacity fiber backhaul from Converge, measured at 3000 Mbps, which ensures ample bandwidth and consistent service quality even during peak guest usage.
Chafic Traboulsi, Senior Vice President, Sales EMEA & APAC at Ookla, a division of Ziff Davis, said: “Fast, reliable Wi-Fi is now a fundamental guest expectation. We congratulate Best Western Plus Metro Clark on achieving Speedtest Certified status for its network. By earning our trusted badge of excellence, the hotel demonstrates its leadership in providing a positive digital experience.”
The hotel’s certified Wi-Fi Excellence is a direct result of the connectivity collaboration forged with Converge Global Business, the corporate and large enterprise unit of Converge. Converge equipped the hotel with advanced fiber connectivity and its cutting-edge hospitality solution, Content Plus. This integration ensures a seamless digital experience for guests, providing not only ultra-high-speed internet for crucial business tasks and streaming but also a rich selection of premium entertainment channels.
Converge recently celebrated its third consecutive triumph for Ookla’s Speedtest Awards during the first half of 2025, sweeping four major categories, including Fastest Fixed Network and Best Fixed Network. The company posted an impressive Speed Score™ of 63.46, reflecting industry-leading performance that translates directly into a world-class, seamless online experience for hotel guests.
“Being the first hotel in Asia to become Speedtest Certified by Ookla is a tremendous honor and a testament to our ongoing investment in world-class amenities,” stated Jansen Ivan Uy, President & Chief Operating Officer of Savers Group Holdings, operator of Best Western Plus Metro Clark. “Our partnership with Converge has been crucial, allowing us to provide an ultra-fast, consistent, and secure Wi-Fi environment that enhances both our business and leisure guests' stays, enabling seamless work, entertainment, and communication. This initiative significantly boosts the local tourism sector by elevating our desirability to modern travelers who expect a fully connected experience.”
Eugene Yeo, Chief Executive Advisor of Converge, adds, “Converge is committed to empowering the hospitality sector with pure fiber connectivity that is capable of supporting the high demands of a modern hotel. Ookla’s certification for Best Western Plus Metro Clark validates the strength and quality of the fiber infrastructure and the excellent digital experience it provides to their guests. This collaboration exemplifies how reliable, high-speed fiber, backed by our position as the Philippines’ top-performing internet provider, is essential for premium property services.”
Best Western Plus Metro Clark's achievement represents a foundational advancement in guest experience, moving beyond mere amenity enhancement. By integrating certified, world-class connectivity, powered by Converge, with its luxury offerings, the hotel redefines the operational benchmarks for modern Filipino hospitality. Being Speedtest Certified provides definitive assurance of digital excellence, solidifying the hotel's market distinction and reinforcing its leadership position in Central Luzon’s competitive tourism sector.
PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have reiterated their support for the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) following its latest statement highlighting improved affordability and better value in internet services nationwide.
“With the DICT leading the charge toward a more digitally empowered Philippines, the PLDT Group remains committed to doing our part to deliver faster, more reliable, and more affordable connectivity for all Filipinos,” says Menardo G. Jimenez, PLDT Chief Operating Officer and the Group’s representative at the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.“The progress we are seeing today - lower data prices, enhanced fiber speeds, and programs like connectivity for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) - shows what can be achieved when we work together with a shared purpose,” Jimenez adds.
Beyond supporting the DICT’s call for more accessible internet, the PLDT Group continues to advance key initiatives that expand digital inclusion. These include sustained network investments to strengthen fiber connectivity, as well as enhance the delivery of wireless services.
“Over the last six years, we have seen a dramatic decline in the price of our data packages, even as we enhance our offers with more data while keeping the same prices. Back in 2019, our 1GB of data via Giga Surf 50 cost Php 50. Today, with Saya All 50, our subs enjoy 3 GB of data, 3GB of FB, and 3GB of TikTok for a total of 9GB for only 50 pesos,” said Lloyd Manaloto, First Vice President at Smart.
PLDT also actively contributes to government-led programs such as the Bayanihan SIM project and public-sector connectivity initiatives, primarily implemented by its corporate business unit, PLDT Enterprise. Through its ICT arm, ePLDT Inc., the Group supports nation-building initiatives and future-ready digital infrastructure. This includes platforms like Pilipinas Cloud and Pilipinas AI, all designed to empower enterprises, government, and communities with secure, scalable, and cutting-edge solutions.
For data center arm VITRO Inc., this year’s launch of VITRO Santa Rosa - the country’s largest and first AI-ready hyperscaler campus - enables international hyperscalers and cloud providers to invest locally, positioning the Philippines as a competitive hub for global cloud, AI, and digital services.
PLDT’s support for the government's digital initiatives underscores the Group's commitment to national development through strategic partnerships that expand digital access and help improve the delivery of essential services. This also contributes to the PLDT Group’s endeavors to help the country achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), particularly SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
Manila, Philippines — For the first time in the country, a Filipino-led EduTech firm, Bitskwela, launched a blockchain-enabled developer microlearning (DML) platform called “BitDev,” which streamlines the complex process of creating, testing, and deploying Web3 applications for aspiring or learning software developers.
The release of BitDev addresses the gap identified by the 2023 report on Worldwide Blockchain and Web3 Developer Statistics, which shows that only 203 of 190,000 software developers in the Philippines focus on blockchain development. With its mission to provide insightful education on Web3, BitDev aims to resolve this shortage of blockchain developers in the country by transforming existing Filipino Web2 developers into ready Web3 builders.
“At Bitskwela, we believe in bridging the gap by tapping into the potential of our already talented Filipino Web2 developers. Our vision is to transform the Philippines into a hub of world-class blockchain builders, and the BitDev platform is a step closer towards that,” Jiro Reyes, Bitskwela’s Chief Executive Officer, said.
Using a blockchain-enabled, specialized software called an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) already implemented by global developers, BitDev intends to address real-life challenges that prevent Filipino web developers from engaging with Web3 technology. This includes bridging the high learning curve of core concepts, aiding developers to understand language constructs during syntax building and compiling, and teaching users how to manage “gas fees” when using blockchain.
“BitDev is designed by developers for developers. Our goal is to make the platform as easy as possible to navigate the world of Web3. This achievement marks Bitskwela’s role in making the Philippines keep up with the rising blockchain technology throughout the globe,” Camille Puentespina, Bitskwela’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, explained.
Through BitDev, new developers can learn how to create their own real-life Web3 projects, such as web or mobile applications, smart contracts, blockchains, cryptocurrency wallets, decentralized exchanges (DEXs), and decentralized apps (DApps). This is made possible through a Live Editor tool, which enables developers a hands-on coding experience, as well as the usage of various programming and scripting languages, including JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Python, Solidity, and Move.
These languages are also used in the available Web2 development courses offered in BitDev, further bridging the gap between Web2 developers and Web3 developers.
Moreover, Bitskwela has partnered with leading local universities such as Dr. Yanga's Colleges Inc. (DYCI) and the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) to bring BitDev closer to Information Technology (IT) students.
“The partnership of Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc. with the visionary Bitskwela is a breakthrough in advancing blockchain technology. It excellently and effectively addresses critical social concerns of transparency, accountability, and integrity through an advanced and modern approach. Teaching this to the youth will make them the vanguards of truth and integrity at present and in the future,” Michael Yanga, president of DYCI, said.
Bitskwela aims to integrate its platform into these universities' curricula, equipping students with self-paced technical modules, blockchain-issued certifications, and the opportunity to develop their own Web3 applications. Each course on the BitDev platform starts at a student-friendly price, perfect for learning developers. This can be accessed through https://developer.bitskwela.com/.
“By enhancing digital literacy among future web developers, BitDev increases the employability of Filipino IT students—all while encouraging their participation in the expansion of blockchain development in the Philippines,” said Vince Edralin, Bitskwela’s Chief Operating Officer.
When the companies that connect, power, transport, treat, and serve Filipinos can confidently confront the future of AI, the potential positive impact will be massive and expansive. For this to happen, leaders of these companies must be prepared and skilled to use AI responsibly, safely, and for the public good. To this end, directors, advisory board members, and officers of companies led by Group Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan gathered at the 2025 Annual Corporate Governance Enhancement Session (ACGES) at the Meralco Theater to explore how the MVP Group can embrace change and harness artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize decision-making and boost business growth.The session, titled “Decision Intelligence and SuperCreativity: Leading in the Age of AI”, featured global experts Cassie Kozyrkov, Google’s first Chief Decision Scientist, pioneer on Decision Intelligence, and Founder and CEO of Kozyr LLC; and James Taylor, a leading authority on creativity and innovation who has guided Fortune 500 CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders from Silicon Valley to Dubai on how to design innovative organizations, unlock creative potential, and build sustainable futures. Kozyrkov and Taylor both shared insights on how AI can unleash new possibilities for leaders and organizations.
"We just can’t simply adopt a technology because it’s sexy or trendy. It’s a leadership question. At the end of the day, it's like a pilot--the pilot is the one who manages the take-off, as well as the landing," said Pangilinan, speaking to MVP Group directors, officers, and executives from the PLDT Group, MERALCO, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Philex Mining Corporation, PXP Energy Corp., Roxas Holdings, Inc., Maynilad, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Metro Pacific Health, Metro Pacific Tollways, NLEX Corporation, Mediaquest Holdings, Makati Medical Center, Maya, Davao Doctors Hospital, Voyager Innovations, Kayana, mWell, and Cignal, who joined the half-day hybrid session.
Setting the tone for the session, PLDT Director and Chief Operating Officer Menardo G. Jimenez, Jr. stressed in his opening remarks that, in his view, AI is different from previous tech trends. "When AI came into the picture, the first thing that came into my mind was, Is this another tech fad? The answer is no. Absolutely not. AI is the real deal, not just because of how it can be applied in the corporate world, but because of how it can influence an individual's life,” he said, adding that as the Philippines gears up to host next year's ASEAN Summit, among the critical topics will be how AI can support the growth of countries in the region.
'AI is a leadership game'
In her talk "Winning with AI: Embracing Change and Optimizing Decisions at Scale", Kozyrkov underscored the importance of leadership in successfully implementing AI. "Now is not the time for absentee leadership. AI is a tool for decision-making, and how we make decisions around this technology is what matters most of all," she said. "AI is a leadership game. If you don’t have skilled leadership involved, bad things happen. When you have skilled leadership, that is when you flourish."
She also urged leaders to upskill their workforce, especially with the rise of generative AI. "We have to teach people one of the hardest skills: The skill of seeking advice. Today, personalized advice is abundant. That's what generative AI gets you. As a result of all this, judgment will be priceless. Knowing whether you should take the advice, knowing what you should ask about---that is very important," said Kozyrkov.
"Generative AI requires an organization that is filled with people with good judgment, because folks with good judgment are going to get great results out of it. And folks with poor judgment could be an organizational liability," she added.
Kozyrkov also warned against 'work slop', which is AI-generated workplace content that looks polished but is actually wrong outputs. "You must train your organizations, and you must tell them that just because something looks polished, doesn't mean it's right, and that it has to be the responsibility of whoever makes it to check it to be thoughtful," she said. "The new skills are knowing what to ask about, knowing how to describe what you're looking for, and knowing how to check whether what you needed is what you got."
'SuperCreativity'
Meanwhile, in his talk "SuperCreativity: Leading in the age of AI", Taylor introduced the concept of 'SuperCreativity', which augments human creativity with AI capabilities. "Creativity is the engine of innovation. In the age of AI, your ability to augment human creativity with exponential technologies like AI will define success."
Taylor emphasized the importance of AI governance in ensuring that AI systems deliver value while being transparent, fair, accountable, and aligned with human values. "For all these rapid developments that are happening in artificial intelligence Today, we need to ensure that we have not just the right products and services, but also the kind of AI right governance to help propel us into this new age in a safe and transparent way," he said.
Culture, according to Taylor, is also crucial to the successful implementation of any AI strategy. "You may have a great AI strategy, but if you don't have a culture that supports that, you're going to waste time and money," he said, adding that to build this culture, four skills would be the most valuable in the AI era: Collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication.
Taylor also warned about what he calls the "competency penalty", which has hindered many workers from using AI for fear that it will make them seem less competent. "To fix this, companies must spotlight role models--how are respected leaders in your organization using artificial intelligence? Focus on outcomes, not pure metrics."
Panel: How AI is reshaping industries
A dynamic panel moderated by Roby Alampay, PLDT Public Engagement Group and Corporate Communications Head, featured Kozyrkov, Taylor, and industry leaders Blums S. Pineda, PLDT SVP and Head of Enterprise Business Group; Rocky D. Bacani, Meralco Information, Communications, Technology and Transformation Head, and Kayana Chief Technology Officer; and Angelo S. Madrid, Maya Bank Director and President. They tackled how AI is reshaping industries like telco, power, and fintech, as well as discussed the need to anchor AI initiatives on clear business problems and challenges, but to also raise the bar for growth and other transformative outcomes.
Pineda, who has been recently appointed as PLDT Group AI Business Lead, said his mandate is not just to build the foundation but to potentially transform the way we operate, as well as to find new areas of growth for the group. "In the end, it's going to be about transformation and the leadership that it takes to aim for that. And what we have seen from AI is that it can really impact and accelerate that transformation when leveraged expansively. There is a lot of work to do."
Bacani highlighted that AI can only deliver real value when the foundations are in place, summarized as AID: Application, Infrastructure, and Data. Without clear use cases, the right systems, and reliably governed data, AI remains experimentation rather than transformation.
Madrid emphasized AI's essential role in scaling trust and protecting customers in a fully digital environment, especially in the fintech space.
The Annual Corporate Governance Enhancement Session is a flagship program of the MVP Group that brings together directors and officers to strengthen governance practices and explore emerging trends shaping business leadership. Now in its 19th year, ACGES continues to serve as a platform for learning and collaboration among the Group’s companies.
.jpg)
.jpg)
%20to%20integrate%20blockchain%20education%20into%20DYCI%E2%80%99s%20curriculum%20through%20BitDev.jpg)
%20signs%20partnership%20to%20integrate%20BitDev%20into%20PWU%20curriculum.jpg)
